Phone
A phone is vital for modern day travelling as you may need it for maps, booking taxis, booking accommodation etc.
Most apps require internet connectivity so instead of paying high roaming charges I suggest you get a local SIM card or an eSim for data.
The most important reason for having internet connected to your phone is for paying for everyday items e.g. restaurant bills, taxis etc as China is largely cashless.
See my post here about E-wallet Apps you should download as a foreigner visiting China.
Local SIM
Make sure your device is “unlocked” which means that you can use any carrier. You can check with your carrier if your phone is locked and may have to pay a fee to get it unlocked.
You can buy a SIM from any of the three major carriers:
- China Mobile
- China Unicom
- China Telecom
These can be found in airports or stores in town, you will need ID to buy it.
Once you have a local SIM card you have access to a whole new world of Chinese Apps for things like ordering takeaway food, buying things online etc which require a local number.
eSim
If you don’t plan on using many Chinese Apps and your trip is short then it may be more suitable for you to get mobile data through an eSim instead.
This is just an App you download on your phone and it will give you mobile data in whatever region you pay for e.g. 5GB data in China for 1 month at $15. No need for a physical SIM. There are many different companies which offer this service.